Summer Springboard
Medicine & Healthcare
ACADEMIC TRACK
About This Track
The Medicine & Healthcare track at Summer Springboard gives high school students an immersive pre-college experience designed to explore a wide range of medical fields.
Across two weeks, students engage in hands-on courses such as Emergency Medicine, Biotechnology, Immunology, Nursing, Pre-Med, Pediatrics, and more. Each course is taught by industry professionals and emphasizes practical application—whether it’s practicing sutures, exploring the brain, or investigating how medicines work—so students gain a clear window into the realities of healthcare careers.
Beyond the classroom, the program blends labs, simulations, and collaborative projects with inspiring guest speakers and field excursions. This combination allows students to build confidence, discover new passions, and clarify their academic and career goals.
By the end, participants walk away with both practical skills and a stronger sense of direction—plus a meaningful taste of college life in a supportive, exploratory environment.
Summer Springboard
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Courses In This Track
Considering a career in medicine or healthcare? It’s a major decision that can influence the next four to twelve years of your life. These courses give you a 360 degree view of the medical and healthcare field, as well as immersive learning through hands-on projects and simulations.
Advanced Neuroscience
Course
Explore the science of the brain in this hands-on neuroscience course, where biology, engineering, and technology come together. Students use EEG sensors, laboratory equipment, and brain dissections to investigate how the nervous system works, analyze real-time neural data, and discover advances in treatments and brain-computer interfaces. The course culminates in an original research project presented at a campus symposium.
Prerequisites: Students must have successfully completed AP Psychology, Honors Biology or an equivalent introductory course in psychology or life sciences prior to enrolling.
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Anesthesiology
Course
Explore the science and skill behind anesthesiology and discover how anesthesiologists keep patients safe before, during, and after surgery. Students learn about anesthesia, pain management, vital signs, and recovery.
Through hands-on labs and medical simulations, students practice monitoring vital signs, explore airway management and ventilation, and learn operating room safety. They also discover how anesthesia teams recognize complications, respond to emergencies, and make critical decisions under pressure.
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Biotechnology
Course
Are you interested in medicine, science, and technology? Is you goal to create a life-saving drug? This is a unique opportunity for high school students to gain real exposure and work in a biotechnology lab utilizing state-of-the-art equipment.
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Cancer Research & Therapeutics
Course
Explore the science of cancer biology and the field of cancer care by learning how cancer develops, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated. Students will discover key approaches, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted treatments, while exploring clinical trials, patient care, prevention strategies, and the collaborative approach to cancer treatment.
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Cardiology
Course
Are you fascinated by the heart? This cardiology course gives high school students the rare opportunity to explore the science of the heart through interactive lessons, hands-on activities, and real-world case studies. Discover how medical professionals diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions while gaining insights into the future of heart health and medicine.
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Dentistry
Course
The Summer Springboard Dentistry course is ideal for high school students interested in science and healthcare. You’ll learn dental fundamentals, practice skills through hands-on activities and simulations, and receive guidance from professionals.
Gain insights from instructors, guest speakers, and peers about pursuing a dentistry career, while exploring Boston’s top healthcare institutions and dental schools for a rich learning experience.
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Dermatology
Course
This course immerses students in dermatology from day one, teaching them to examine skin, recognize conditions from acne to skin cancer, and develop diagnoses and treatment plans for real-world cases. Through hands-on labs, students practice suturing and simulated biopsies, examine skin under a microscope, and test sunscreen.
Students will also explore dermatologic surgery, cosmetic dermatology, skin of color, and the role of AI in diagnosing skin disease. The course culminates in a simulated dermatology clinic, where students examine patients, perform a procedure, and present cases at a mock grand rounds.
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Emergency Medicine
Course
Spend the first week learning basic medical skills and getting training on how to handle situations when medical care is not immediately available. The second week focuses on being a detective doctor. In small groups, you will be required to research a simulated patient’s history and symptoms, create a diagnosis based on your findings, and develop a treatment plan.
Fundamentals of Medicine
Course
Explore the foundations of medicine and discover the many specialties available to future physicians. Learn essential clinical skills, including patient communication, recognizing symptoms, and developing diagnoses, while exploring how innovations like AI-assisted imaging, gene therapies, and telehealth are transforming healthcare. No prior experience is needed.
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Global Health & Epidemiology
Course
This course introduces students to epidemiology, exploring how diseases spread, outbreaks are detected, and public health systems respond locally and globally. Through hands-on activities, case studies, and a team-based outbreak investigation, students develop biology, data analysis, and critical thinking skills while learning to interpret health data and communicate findings. No prior science or statistics experience is required.
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Kinesiology & Physical Therapy
Course
When someone has trouble moving or is injured, what can truly help is a non-invasive discipline that helps evaluate and improve mobility and relieve pain. Physical therapy might be just what they need. In this program, you will learn the basics of human anatomy, movement fundamentals, and exercise principles while doing lab work and clinical education.
Students will also gain a basic understanding and learn the physical therapy requirements and the many job opportunities this field can provide through various specialties. Learn to make a positive change in the community by empowering others through physical and mental health.
Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology
Course
Explore the world of life sciences and learn the techniques used in cutting-edge biological research at a premier research university. Explore how the nervous system coordinates thought, emotion, and behavior by examining the underlying mechanisms through lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities. Learn more about the brain, nervous system, and future career paths in this hands-on neuroscience & behavioral biology course.
Nursing
Course
Nursing is the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most respected of all healthcare professions. Nursing employment is expected to increase by 9% by 2030, post-pandemic, progressively more students have been considering this career path. Nurses are responsible for providing primary health care and specialty services to individuals, families, and communities.
Discover the diverse career opportunities and what a day in the life of a nurse looks like. During the program, students will learn the fundamental concepts of caring and gain an interesting perspective on how patient care is provided.
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Ophthalmology
Course
Explore the science of eye health and vision in Summer Springboard’s Ophthalmology program. Students will learn about eye anatomy, common vision conditions, and the technologies used to diagnose and treat eye disorders through hands-on activities, discussions, and real-world applications.
Students will also discover career opportunities in ophthalmology, optometry, and vision science while strengthening their critical thinking and observation skills. The program inspires curiosity about the human body, medical innovation, and how healthcare professionals help people protect their vision and improve their quality of life.
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Pediatrics
Course
Does your budding physician have an interest in diagnosing, treating, and caring for adolescents, children, and infants? Pediatricians are trained to diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries for children from infancy to young adulthood. While they perform many similar tasks to that of a general physician, pediatricians are specially trained in diagnosing and treating problems specific to young patients.
On this program, students will explore the specialty field of pediatric medicine. They will practice conducting patient physical examinations, triaging pediatric emergency and hospital medicine cases, taking patient histories, and get infant and adolescent CPR/AED certified.
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Pharmaceutical Sciences
Course
Have you ever wondered how the medications we take are developed and what processes ensure their safety and effectiveness? Our Pharmaceutical Sciences course offers you the opportunity to explore one of the most dynamic and impactful fields in healthcare.
Over the session, students will dive into the fascinating world of pharmaceutical sciences, gaining a strong foundation in key concepts, participating in hands-on projects, and discovering the limitless potential of this vital discipline.
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Pre-Med
Course
Are you thinking about medical school? Do you know what field of medicine you’d like to pursue? This course is designed to help students explore a career in a variety of fields in medicine.
On this program, students will get a chance to explore the various fields of study that exist in medicine, and rotate through potential fields such as cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and more. They will also have the opportunity to learn about pursuing study in medical research from current UCSF medical students.
Students will also have the opportunity to learn about getting into medical school, studying for medical school entrance exams, researching and planning medical residency, and learning about the role of scientific inquiry and scientific curiosity in becoming a medical professional. Through the course students will interact with doctors, medical students and residents while being exposed to various medical disciplines.
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Psychology & Neuroscience
Course
Through psychology simulations and hands-on neurology workshops, you will explore the relationships between the brain and human behavior. In addition, connect with professionals in a range of careers that utilize a background in psychology and neuroscience. This insight helps students reflect on which areas within this specific medical field would be a good fit for them.
Campuses with this course:
- Psychology & Neuroscience at Barnard College, Columbia University
- Psychology & Neuroscience at Berkeley
- Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University
- Psychology & Neuroscience at UCLA
- Psychology & Neuroscience at UC San Diego
- Psychology & Neuroscience at the University of Washington
- Psychology & Neuroscience at Yale
Radiology
Course
Modern radiology relies on complex visual data to solve clinical puzzles and guide immediate patient care. Beyond taking standard scans, specialists evaluate tissue density, track disease progression and interpret subtle structural details across multiple imaging modalities.
In this course, students explore the real-world diagnostic process using professional viewing software, hands-on physical simulations and clinical case studies to see how medical imaging connects physics, anatomy and patient outcomes across the healthcare field.
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Sports Medicine
Course
The Sports Medicine program introduces high school students to the science of athletic health, injury prevention, and sports performance. Students explore human anatomy, common sports injuries, and injury prevention through classroom instruction and real-world examples. Participants also learn the fundamentals of injury assessment, recovery, and safe return-to-play practices while discovering how sports medicine professionals support athletes. The program highlights career opportunities in athletic training, physical therapy, sports medicine, and exercise science.
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Surgery
Course
Are you intrigued by the precision and skill it takes to perform surgery? This course offers high school students an exciting introduction to the world of surgery through hands-on simulations, guided practice with surgical tools, and case-based learning. Step into the role of a surgeon and gain a deeper understanding of how medical teams work together to perform life-saving procedures.
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Veterinary Medicine
Course
Are you ready to apply your love and compassion for animals to learning? In this Veterinary Medicine course you will learn about the diverse course opportunities within surgery, internal medicine, pathology, radiology, research, and public health. Students will gain an overview of the field, including its history, scope, and significance in animal healthcare.
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Summer Springboard
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*Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.